Ronald Koeman is ready to name wantaway midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin in his side for Southampton's Barclays Premier League opener at Liverpool.

The France international is a target for former Saints manager Mauricio Pochettino, now in charge of Tottenham, but the south-coast club have so far resisted adding Schneiderlin's name to a long list of summer sales.

Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Dejan Lovren have all moved to Sunday's opponents Liverpool, while Luke Shaw signed for Manchester United and Arsenal took Calum Chambers to the Emirates Stadium.

Interest: Morgan Schneiderlin is a target for former Saints manager Mauricio Pochettino

Southampton chairman Ralph Krueger has stated on numerous occasions that Schneiderlin, 24, is not for sale even though he is keen on a move to north London.

Koeman, who will take charge of his first competitive game since replacing Pochettino, said the player was not 'mentally or physically ready' to play in a friendly against Bayer Leverkusen last weekend.

But the Dutchman is prepared to include him in his squad at Anfield.

'He had a very good week of training sessions,' Koeman said. 'We know the situation. Last week he wasn't in shape to play, he had a very good week of sessions and that decision will be taken tomorrow - he is not for sale.'

Schneiderlin may be the attention of further bids from Tottenham before the window closes but it is clear Koeman sees the midfielder as a key member of his squad.

Southampton finished in eighth place last season but have seen their odds to suffer relegation slashed as star names have moved on.

Koeman insists there is no way his side will fall out of the Barclays Premier League this season, also revealing he is hopeful of adding a wide midfielder to his squad sooner rather than later.

'I don't think that will happen - we lost a lot of good football players but brought in some new ones.

'The pre-season was difficult, but it's been difficult for everybody. Until the end of August we can bring in more changes but every team has that problem.

'We are prepared and I believe in the qualities and our ambition and that we can do a good season.'

Koeman has started his rebuilding process with the signings of Dusan Tadic, Graziano Pelle and Fraser Forster, coupled with loan deals for Ryan Bertrand and Saphir Taider, but the former Feyenoord boss believes Thursday's acquisition of Shane Long proves Southampton have high ambitions.

The Republic of Ireland striker was brought in from Hull, with Romania defender Florin Gardos also joining from Steaua Bucharest.

Koeman was delighted to add Long to his ranks.

'It was very important because it's a part of the ambition that we have as a club and we show in the last few weeks,' he said.

Upbeat: Koeman claims £12m capture of Shane Long shows the ambition of Southampton

'Shane Long is an important player of the team and we need that type of striker because we didn't have that type of striker in our squad and we are very happy to sign him.'

The fee paid for Long, which could rise to around £12million, has been questioned, but Koeman feels Southampton's position was weakened as they have recouped much more over the course of the summer.

'It's the business of football,' he added.

'A long time ago I was thinking about English football and how they spend to sign players and it's the time now of what we have. You can always discuss if the player is worth £30million or £10million but the clubs pay a lot of money.

'Everybody knew Southampton got a lot of money in and maybe they used that and the agents used that and that's the normal way of doing business.

'For me the most important as a manager is that we bring in good players, have competition for our squad and are prepared for Sunday.'